How I Met Your Mother Review: The Truth About Fathers, Mary Poppins

The writers of How I Met Your Mother blindsided us, along with Marshall, to close out last week's episode, as Marvin Eriksen died.

We got another sorrow-filled installment on "Last Words," but the cast still managed to deliver some wit and humor that not only helped Marshall deal with a somber subject, but did the same for the viewers.

Lily shined as “Judy’s Bitch," showing us once again why she is one of televisions most dynamic wives.

Robin somehow fit Tijuana into her purse and was not only reminiscent of a drug dealer from an 80s after school special, but also Morgan Freeman’s character in Shawshank Redemption. Like Red, she showed that Vice Girl was a person who knew how to get things in the most dire of settings. Her line about Mary Poppins being a drug-peddling au pair was priceless. Spoon full of sugar? Grow up.

Marshall’s childhood tormentor, Trey, appeared as the reverend’s son who was going to give the eulogy.

The guy was a cringe-inducing machine, as I could not have imagined a more grating character to be in charge of such a serious task. The culminating detail took place when Trey stood up to show he was wearing jeans along with his reverend’s shirt and collar. Great choice by the wardrobe department.

Marshall’s mom played the part of a reluctant widow to a T. Everything from her not eating to her persistent cleaning up after people was well done. I could not get over her hair, though. It reminded me of one of the Mormon women from the compound on Big Love.

Elsewhere, the sequence of recent calls made to everyone’s father was a great montage. I felt for Ted. After the initial “Birds and Bees” talk during puberty, no one should ever have to discuss sex with their father, especially not to compare notes about hooking up with the same girl. Robin’s call to her father was the best, though, as he hoped she would finally make something of herself so he could stop telling people she was in a coma.

In the end, Marshall chose Crocodile over Pocket Dial and delivered a much-needed laugh during his eulogy. Jason Segal again showed his depth as an actor throughout the episode. From his anger with God for taking his father too soon to when he described how his father was his hero and best friend, his emotion and sentiment were spot on.

We were left with the realization by Barney that he was at last ready to meet his dad. He and Ted were great as they tried in vain to cheer their big buddy up. As the episode came to a close, I found myself shedding a tear but also smiling. My “last words” were bravo, How I Met Your Mother, bravo.

Follow How I Met Your Mother

Shoegal•January 18, 2011 17:27

As Huge a fan I am, gotta say I was disappointed in CBS not having Eric Braden aka the Great Victor Newman continue as Robin's dad. Seriously, you're just going to have a vague look alike? Loved last nights show though.

as much as the show is built around Ted's story about meeting the mother (ya know, what the title says) i love the way the show has told more than that one story, this episode is one of my favs. i wanna see HIMYM go to like an 8th/9th season because of how amazing it is, but then people would rag on how long it took to tell the story of how Ted met his kids mother. Screw the mother thing, HIMYM is awesome just going through the motions. season 6 is my fav so far :)

A different tone to the usual How I Met Your Mother episodes but definitely still enjoyable.

Piecar•January 18, 2011 13:08

I used to consider this show sort of a B level comedy. It's evolution to this is terrific. A cast that really seems to like each other. Distinct and nuanced characters, and episodes that can bring laughs while not subverting real issues, even if they're damned sad. Bravo, indeed. Now why the hell is Two And Half Men the most popular comedy on tv?